Generation(s) Dissatisfied

That was the discovery of a recent survey by
Charles Schwab, which analyzed how the many different age
groups view retirement (See
Four Generations Agree: We Need More Advice
). The survey also revealed the negative and positive
opinions generations have of each other.

Some in Generation X could nix their one-letter
name, and some in Generation Y wonder why they were stuck
with such a generic name after X. In Gen Y, 33% would
prefer their digital prowess be recognized as the
“Internet Generation,” and a quarter of Gen X would
prefer to be “Generation Tech.”

The Silent Generation spoke up on how much they
dislike being called “Silent” or “Invisible.” Almost half
(44%) would prefer the “Responsible Generation.”

Schwab’s generation lineup is:

Generation Y (ages 13 to 31)

Generation X (ages 32 to 43)

Baby Boomers (ages 44 to 62)

The Silent Generation (ages 63 to 83)

The Greatest Generation (ages 84 or
older).

The view that younger people have no respect for
older people does not hold up in this survey, according
to a release of the results. In fact, the Silent (33%)
and the Greatest (30%) generations are the most admired
by all age groups.

The survey analysis notes that this makes sense
since their members are parents and grandparents. As of
yet, they are often benefactors rather than burdens (the
Silent Generation was deemed the most generous by 40% of
respondents).

Generation Y is most renowned for being the most
self-indulgent. A 53% majority (including those in
Generation Y) responded this way.

Those slightly older than Generation Y still beat
them out in the creativity department.
A 41% plurality sees Generation X as the most innovative,
followed by Baby Boomers (25%), and Generation Y (22%),
according to the results.

Baby Boomers and Generation X are not only seen as
creative, but also productive, with Baby Boomers seen as
the most productive by almost half (45%) and Generation X
by 32%.

The results showed no clear-cut taker for having the
most positive effect on society,
but Baby Boomers received the most votes (35%) followed by
Generation X (25%). There is also no consensus as to which
generation is most socially conscious, but Baby Boomers
(34%) and Generation X (26%) top the list. The survey,
conducted by Harris Interactive, asked almost 4,000
Americans aged 21 to 83 what they thought of different
generations.